INT. BO'S OFFICE - MORNING
Bo is already hard at work, even at the early hour. With so many things going on in Llanview right now he really has no choice. Standing at the file cabinet the
Commissioner finds what he is looking for then closes the drawer. Wincing but
doing his best to "suck it up" and work through the pain he movies his stiff body
toward his waiting chair. How did his desk get clear over there? There isn't a
cell in Bo's body that doesn't hurt right now. Finally reaching his seat he plops
down in one giant sigh of pain followed by relief. He is just in the nick of time.
Door opens. It's Nora. Walking awfully slowly Nora moves just inside the door
and forces a smile.
NORA
Morning.
BO
(looking up from his file as if he
has been there, pain free, all
along)
Good Morning.
NORA
(Still not moving, a guarded look
on her face)
How are you?
BO
(planted firmly in his chair he isn't
going to let on how much he hurts)
Fine. I feel great! You?
NORA
(following Bo's lead)
Great.
Nora begins to walk toward the chair in front of Bo's desk doing her best to keep
up the show.
NORA
Just great, in fact (suddenly
Nora winces in pain) - oh,
who am I kidding? I can
barely move. My teeth even
hurt.
Bo smiles as he watches Nora flop herself to the chair below much like he had
just moments before.
BO
What's the matter Red? All
that dancing leave ya a little
sore?
NORA
A little? Don't tell me that you
didn't have to bathe in liniment
oil this morning. (smells herself)
Uck, I smell like a medicine
cabinet.
BO
(a smirk on his face)
Ah, I don't know, I can't smell ya from
here.
NORA
(sarcastically)
That's comforting.
BO
(teasing)
I can't believe you're so sore, a young,
spry thing like yourself. I know it's been
a while but -
NORA
(cutting him off)
Watch it Buchanan. (a beat) I just can't believe -
I mean - you're not sore at all?
BO
Me? Nah. In fact, I'd love to take you
for another spin on the dance floor
right now if I could.
NORA
(shaking her head)
Fat chance. I'm lucky to be upright this
morning.
BO
I'm sorry you're hurting so much.
You know what? We'll try to keep
our work confined to the office today.
No running around chasing bad guys.
NORA
No, no, no. I'm fine, I just -
(knock on the door)
BO
Yeah?!
Marci opens the door and peaks in with her head.
MARCI
You have a call on line three.
BO
Thanks Marci.
Marci smiles and closes the door as Bo picks up the phone.
BO
Buchanan.
Bo's face grows serious. Nora watches closely, reading his expressions to follow
the conversation. Bo scribbles notes while he talks.
BO
Really? Right. Ok, thank you.
Hanging up the phone Bo looks grim.
NORA
What is it?
BO
It seems there has been an attack
in Harrisburg much like the series
of attacks we've had up by Mirror
Lake.
NORA
(confused)
But we caught the guy who made those
attacks, he's sitting in a cell in Statesville
right now, he - (staring Bo in the face it
dawns on her) He was the wrong guy.
BO
Well, we don't know that for sure,
it looks like it may be a copycat
situation. I just know that the
description of the crime scenes in
Harrisburg sound an awful lot
like what we had here. (picking
up the phone) Marci do you know
where that file on the Mirror Lake
attacks ended up? (Bo's face falls
a bit) In my closed cases cabinet.
under "M." Thanks Marci.
Nora watches with interest as Bo doesn't move. He thinks about it, has the urge
to rise but realizes it would be impossible to walk to that cabinet without a great
deal of pain. Glancing at Nora, who is still watching curiously, Bo picks up the
phone again.
BO
Marci, ADA Buchanan and I are
awfully busy right now, would you
mind coming in and finding that file
for me?
Nora can't believe what she is hearing. Ok. what is he up to?
NORA
Bo Buchanan. You mean to tell me
that you're making that girl come all
the way in here to pull a file out of
a cabinet that is six feet away?
BO
(realizing he needs to cover)
Well, yeah. It's good for her, you
know - (Nora's not buying it) learning
the file system and -
Suddenly Marci hustles through the door, happy to help anytime she gets a chance.
Pulling the file from the drawer she begins to walk it over to Bo when Nora stops
her.
MARCI
Here you go Commiss-
NORA
(putting her hand out)
Wait - stop. Don't give it to him Marci.
Both Marci and Bo are surprised.
MARCI
What? I -
NORA
Just set the file on top of the cabinet
there. Or, you know what? How
about you leave it on that table over
there.
Marci's confused but Bo knows Nora well enough to realize that she's on to him.
BO
No, no Marci, it's ok. Bring the file
to me.
Marci starts to walk toward him. Bo and Nora lock eyes. It's a contest now.
NORA
No! (holding her hand out the
pain of the motion shoots across
Nora's face) Don't take another
step. (Her eyes are still locked
tight with Bo's) Just set the file
on the table.
Marci's eyes are wide, she can see that Nora means business. Setting the file on
the table Marci looks from Bo to Nora.
NORA
Thank you Marci, that will be all.
Marci glances at Bo again who, admitting defeat, nods for her to go. It just about
kills her but Nora rises and makes her way to the file as she teases Bo.
NORA
Ok Buchanan. The information in
this file seems pretty darn important
right now.
BO
Yeah.
NORA
In fact, (picking up the file) I think
it's something you need to look at
right away.
BO
Yup!
NORA
Come and get it.
He knew this was coming.
BO
Nora I -
NORA
No. Come on, this is important police
business here Commissioner. I think
you better come and get it.
BO
Come on Red, this is no time for
games.
NORA
Of course, you're right, so you
better come and get it.
Bo doesn't move, he just sits there, stone faced.
BO
(quietly)
No.
NORA
(Now it's her turn to tease)
What? I couldn't hear you.
BO
(a bit louder)
No.
NORA
You're telling me you're not
coming to get it? (Bo shakes
his head) Why?
BO
(whispers again)
I can't.
NORA
(enjoying this)
I'm sorry, you're going to have to
speak up.
BO
(hating this - a little louder)
I can't.
NORA
What do you mean "you can't"? Just
stand up and come get it.
Does he really want to do this? Looking up at Nora as she waves the folder in her
hand, a smug smile on her pretty face. Ok. Bo's competitive streak kicks in.
Doing his best to hide the discomfort on his face he struggles to stand. Walking gingerly Bo inches his way toward Nora who watches with amusement. Stopping,
Bo is relieved to have the pain gone for a moment.
NORA
Something wrong?
BO
(giving in)
Aw, come on Red.
NORA
(still teasing but giving in a little
herself)
Ok, ok. How about I meet you half
way.
Holding the file in her hand, a smirk on her face, Nora teases Bo with her eyes as
she starts to walk toward him. Her own muscles are flaming with pain but all the
fun she is having giving her ex a hard time almost numbs the pain into non-
existence. Almost.
NORA
I mean, I guess it's the least I can
do for -
Getting a little to cocky with a little too much spring in her step
Nora's calf tightens up sending a stabbing pain from the ends of her
toes to tips of her fingers. Reacting to the shooting pain Nora slips
on her heel and begins to fall forward, flinging the file in question
to the floor below.
NORA
Agggh!
Still inching his way toward Nora Bo is quick on his aching feet, lunging forward,
catching her in his arms as she falls.
BO
Whoa! (holding her tight) Take it
easy there speedy.
NORA
(a little out of breath)
Gosh. Bo, thank -
Raising her head up from Bo's chest Nora finds her face awfully close to his.
Locking eyes with the Commissioner the sensation that pulses through her takes
her breath away more than the near fall. Bo feels it too. Suddenly his arms are
hot and his heart beats faster, why is he breathing so hard? Their faces are so
close, he can feel her heavy breath brush his skin. Nora had forgotten how strong
Bo's arms always were. It's strange to feel so safe when you didn't
even know that you were afraid.
NORA
(exhaling)
You.
The lock they have on one another's eyes remains unbroken as somehow, as if
by a subtle magnetic force, their lips draw closer together. They're so close now,
there isn't a unit of measure on the planet small enough to judge the remaining
distance between the pink skin of their mouths. Taking a deep breath Bo closes
his eyes as -
(door opens)
HANK
(all business)
Bo I need to have you look at these
files before -
Hearing Hank's voice the Commissioner and the Assistant District Attorney have
been jarred back into the room and are doing their best to cover.
HANK
(just now realizing he may have interrupted
more than a routine coffee break)
Oh. Nora. You're in early.
NORA
(flushed but still covering)
Hi Hank.
HANK
Uhhh. Did I interrupt something?
Innocent faces in place Bo and Nora glance nervously back at one another.
BO
No!
NORA
No!
BO
Of course not.
NORA
Absolutely not. Nothing.
BO
No nothing.
Looking back at Hank Bo and Nora each plaster an "everything is as it should
be, we weren't doing anything, please , please believe us" smile across their
faces. Glancing back and forth from Bo to Nora to Bo and back to Nora Hank
has no choice but to smile to himself and let it go.
HANK
Ok. Uhh, Bo, I'm due in court in about
(looking at his watch) 10 minutes and I
just wanted to run over the last part of this
evidence file one more time before I
cross examine.
BO
Yeah, of course, have a seat.
NORA
Well, you boys are busy and I have
a couple of phone calls I need to
return so I'll be in my office (pointing
to the bull pen on the other side of the
door) if you need me. (placing the file
from the floor on the corner of Bo's
desk) Here's you file Commish.
Hank is busy with his file and doesn't notice the way Bo looks up at Nora who is
doing her best to avoid eye contact with Bo all together. He tries to catch her eye
with a smile but Nora, all business leaves the file and heads to her office. Bo
watches her go. Gosh, little Matthew sure has a pretty mom.
HANK
So you think we can get him on the
DNA alone?
Bo is still lost in thought.
HANK
Bo? Bo?
BO
Yeah! What? Of course, of course
we can Hank.
Something is definitely going on. The grin on Hank's face grows wider as he
turns toward the door, seeing Nora standing outside the office window, then
back to Bo who has a perfect view from where he sits.
HANK
I'm due in court so I don't have time
right now for all the details but, would
you care to tell me what exactly is
going on?
Bo plays innocent.
BO
Going on? Going on with what?
HANK
Hmm. Let's me see here. Maybe
with you and Nora.
BO
Me and Nora? Nothing Hank, we're
friends, we work together, we -
HANK
You share a son.
BO
We share a son. (Hank is waiting for
more) That's all.
HANK
That's all? (Bo nods) And that's
why I found the two of you so
flushed and nervous here this morning?
BO
Oh that? Nora slipped I helped her up,
no big deal.
HANK
(still not buying it)
And that's why you can't seem to keep
your eyes off of her now?
Bo didn't realize it but his eyes continued to make their way from the office,
through the window and out to where Nora was busy talking on the phone.
BO
(a small smile on his face)
You know partner, she's awfully pretty.
Hank turns and takes a peak at his ex-wife through the window himself.
HANK
Yes she is.
BO
There's just something about -
Feeling Hank's prying eyes boring a hole into his soul Bo is quick to get back to
business.
BO
Wow, you've got to be in court in about 30
seconds there Mr. D.A., let's go over that
file.
Realizing he is right Hank is willing to drop the subject of Nora, for now, and
turns to the file at hand.
Bo is already hard at work, even at the early hour. With so many things going on in Llanview right now he really has no choice. Standing at the file cabinet the
Commissioner finds what he is looking for then closes the drawer. Wincing but
doing his best to "suck it up" and work through the pain he movies his stiff body
toward his waiting chair. How did his desk get clear over there? There isn't a
cell in Bo's body that doesn't hurt right now. Finally reaching his seat he plops
down in one giant sigh of pain followed by relief. He is just in the nick of time.
Door opens. It's Nora. Walking awfully slowly Nora moves just inside the door
and forces a smile.
NORA
Morning.
BO
(looking up from his file as if he
has been there, pain free, all
along)
Good Morning.
NORA
(Still not moving, a guarded look
on her face)
How are you?
BO
(planted firmly in his chair he isn't
going to let on how much he hurts)
Fine. I feel great! You?
NORA
(following Bo's lead)
Great.
Nora begins to walk toward the chair in front of Bo's desk doing her best to keep
up the show.
NORA
Just great, in fact (suddenly
Nora winces in pain) - oh,
who am I kidding? I can
barely move. My teeth even
hurt.
Bo smiles as he watches Nora flop herself to the chair below much like he had
just moments before.
BO
What's the matter Red? All
that dancing leave ya a little
sore?
NORA
A little? Don't tell me that you
didn't have to bathe in liniment
oil this morning. (smells herself)
Uck, I smell like a medicine
cabinet.
BO
(a smirk on his face)
Ah, I don't know, I can't smell ya from
here.
NORA
(sarcastically)
That's comforting.
BO
(teasing)
I can't believe you're so sore, a young,
spry thing like yourself. I know it's been
a while but -
NORA
(cutting him off)
Watch it Buchanan. (a beat) I just can't believe -
I mean - you're not sore at all?
BO
Me? Nah. In fact, I'd love to take you
for another spin on the dance floor
right now if I could.
NORA
(shaking her head)
Fat chance. I'm lucky to be upright this
morning.
BO
I'm sorry you're hurting so much.
You know what? We'll try to keep
our work confined to the office today.
No running around chasing bad guys.
NORA
No, no, no. I'm fine, I just -
(knock on the door)
BO
Yeah?!
Marci opens the door and peaks in with her head.
MARCI
You have a call on line three.
BO
Thanks Marci.
Marci smiles and closes the door as Bo picks up the phone.
BO
Buchanan.
Bo's face grows serious. Nora watches closely, reading his expressions to follow
the conversation. Bo scribbles notes while he talks.
BO
Really? Right. Ok, thank you.
Hanging up the phone Bo looks grim.
NORA
What is it?
BO
It seems there has been an attack
in Harrisburg much like the series
of attacks we've had up by Mirror
Lake.
NORA
(confused)
But we caught the guy who made those
attacks, he's sitting in a cell in Statesville
right now, he - (staring Bo in the face it
dawns on her) He was the wrong guy.
BO
Well, we don't know that for sure,
it looks like it may be a copycat
situation. I just know that the
description of the crime scenes in
Harrisburg sound an awful lot
like what we had here. (picking
up the phone) Marci do you know
where that file on the Mirror Lake
attacks ended up? (Bo's face falls
a bit) In my closed cases cabinet.
under "M." Thanks Marci.
Nora watches with interest as Bo doesn't move. He thinks about it, has the urge
to rise but realizes it would be impossible to walk to that cabinet without a great
deal of pain. Glancing at Nora, who is still watching curiously, Bo picks up the
phone again.
BO
Marci, ADA Buchanan and I are
awfully busy right now, would you
mind coming in and finding that file
for me?
Nora can't believe what she is hearing. Ok. what is he up to?
NORA
Bo Buchanan. You mean to tell me
that you're making that girl come all
the way in here to pull a file out of
a cabinet that is six feet away?
BO
(realizing he needs to cover)
Well, yeah. It's good for her, you
know - (Nora's not buying it) learning
the file system and -
Suddenly Marci hustles through the door, happy to help anytime she gets a chance.
Pulling the file from the drawer she begins to walk it over to Bo when Nora stops
her.
MARCI
Here you go Commiss-
NORA
(putting her hand out)
Wait - stop. Don't give it to him Marci.
Both Marci and Bo are surprised.
MARCI
What? I -
NORA
Just set the file on top of the cabinet
there. Or, you know what? How
about you leave it on that table over
there.
Marci's confused but Bo knows Nora well enough to realize that she's on to him.
BO
No, no Marci, it's ok. Bring the file
to me.
Marci starts to walk toward him. Bo and Nora lock eyes. It's a contest now.
NORA
No! (holding her hand out the
pain of the motion shoots across
Nora's face) Don't take another
step. (Her eyes are still locked
tight with Bo's) Just set the file
on the table.
Marci's eyes are wide, she can see that Nora means business. Setting the file on
the table Marci looks from Bo to Nora.
NORA
Thank you Marci, that will be all.
Marci glances at Bo again who, admitting defeat, nods for her to go. It just about
kills her but Nora rises and makes her way to the file as she teases Bo.
NORA
Ok Buchanan. The information in
this file seems pretty darn important
right now.
BO
Yeah.
NORA
In fact, (picking up the file) I think
it's something you need to look at
right away.
BO
Yup!
NORA
Come and get it.
He knew this was coming.
BO
Nora I -
NORA
No. Come on, this is important police
business here Commissioner. I think
you better come and get it.
BO
Come on Red, this is no time for
games.
NORA
Of course, you're right, so you
better come and get it.
Bo doesn't move, he just sits there, stone faced.
BO
(quietly)
No.
NORA
(Now it's her turn to tease)
What? I couldn't hear you.
BO
(a bit louder)
No.
NORA
You're telling me you're not
coming to get it? (Bo shakes
his head) Why?
BO
(whispers again)
I can't.
NORA
(enjoying this)
I'm sorry, you're going to have to
speak up.
BO
(hating this - a little louder)
I can't.
NORA
What do you mean "you can't"? Just
stand up and come get it.
Does he really want to do this? Looking up at Nora as she waves the folder in her
hand, a smug smile on her pretty face. Ok. Bo's competitive streak kicks in.
Doing his best to hide the discomfort on his face he struggles to stand. Walking gingerly Bo inches his way toward Nora who watches with amusement. Stopping,
Bo is relieved to have the pain gone for a moment.
NORA
Something wrong?
BO
(giving in)
Aw, come on Red.
NORA
(still teasing but giving in a little
herself)
Ok, ok. How about I meet you half
way.
Holding the file in her hand, a smirk on her face, Nora teases Bo with her eyes as
she starts to walk toward him. Her own muscles are flaming with pain but all the
fun she is having giving her ex a hard time almost numbs the pain into non-
existence. Almost.
NORA
I mean, I guess it's the least I can
do for -
Getting a little to cocky with a little too much spring in her step
Nora's calf tightens up sending a stabbing pain from the ends of her
toes to tips of her fingers. Reacting to the shooting pain Nora slips
on her heel and begins to fall forward, flinging the file in question
to the floor below.
NORA
Agggh!
Still inching his way toward Nora Bo is quick on his aching feet, lunging forward,
catching her in his arms as she falls.
BO
Whoa! (holding her tight) Take it
easy there speedy.
NORA
(a little out of breath)
Gosh. Bo, thank -
Raising her head up from Bo's chest Nora finds her face awfully close to his.
Locking eyes with the Commissioner the sensation that pulses through her takes
her breath away more than the near fall. Bo feels it too. Suddenly his arms are
hot and his heart beats faster, why is he breathing so hard? Their faces are so
close, he can feel her heavy breath brush his skin. Nora had forgotten how strong
Bo's arms always were. It's strange to feel so safe when you didn't
even know that you were afraid.
NORA
(exhaling)
You.
The lock they have on one another's eyes remains unbroken as somehow, as if
by a subtle magnetic force, their lips draw closer together. They're so close now,
there isn't a unit of measure on the planet small enough to judge the remaining
distance between the pink skin of their mouths. Taking a deep breath Bo closes
his eyes as -
(door opens)
HANK
(all business)
Bo I need to have you look at these
files before -
Hearing Hank's voice the Commissioner and the Assistant District Attorney have
been jarred back into the room and are doing their best to cover.
HANK
(just now realizing he may have interrupted
more than a routine coffee break)
Oh. Nora. You're in early.
NORA
(flushed but still covering)
Hi Hank.
HANK
Uhhh. Did I interrupt something?
Innocent faces in place Bo and Nora glance nervously back at one another.
BO
No!
NORA
No!
BO
Of course not.
NORA
Absolutely not. Nothing.
BO
No nothing.
Looking back at Hank Bo and Nora each plaster an "everything is as it should
be, we weren't doing anything, please , please believe us" smile across their
faces. Glancing back and forth from Bo to Nora to Bo and back to Nora Hank
has no choice but to smile to himself and let it go.
HANK
Ok. Uhh, Bo, I'm due in court in about
(looking at his watch) 10 minutes and I
just wanted to run over the last part of this
evidence file one more time before I
cross examine.
BO
Yeah, of course, have a seat.
NORA
Well, you boys are busy and I have
a couple of phone calls I need to
return so I'll be in my office (pointing
to the bull pen on the other side of the
door) if you need me. (placing the file
from the floor on the corner of Bo's
desk) Here's you file Commish.
Hank is busy with his file and doesn't notice the way Bo looks up at Nora who is
doing her best to avoid eye contact with Bo all together. He tries to catch her eye
with a smile but Nora, all business leaves the file and heads to her office. Bo
watches her go. Gosh, little Matthew sure has a pretty mom.
HANK
So you think we can get him on the
DNA alone?
Bo is still lost in thought.
HANK
Bo? Bo?
BO
Yeah! What? Of course, of course
we can Hank.
Something is definitely going on. The grin on Hank's face grows wider as he
turns toward the door, seeing Nora standing outside the office window, then
back to Bo who has a perfect view from where he sits.
HANK
I'm due in court so I don't have time
right now for all the details but, would
you care to tell me what exactly is
going on?
Bo plays innocent.
BO
Going on? Going on with what?
HANK
Hmm. Let's me see here. Maybe
with you and Nora.
BO
Me and Nora? Nothing Hank, we're
friends, we work together, we -
HANK
You share a son.
BO
We share a son. (Hank is waiting for
more) That's all.
HANK
That's all? (Bo nods) And that's
why I found the two of you so
flushed and nervous here this morning?
BO
Oh that? Nora slipped I helped her up,
no big deal.
HANK
(still not buying it)
And that's why you can't seem to keep
your eyes off of her now?
Bo didn't realize it but his eyes continued to make their way from the office,
through the window and out to where Nora was busy talking on the phone.
BO
(a small smile on his face)
You know partner, she's awfully pretty.
Hank turns and takes a peak at his ex-wife through the window himself.
HANK
Yes she is.
BO
There's just something about -
Feeling Hank's prying eyes boring a hole into his soul Bo is quick to get back to
business.
BO
Wow, you've got to be in court in about 30
seconds there Mr. D.A., let's go over that
file.
Realizing he is right Hank is willing to drop the subject of Nora, for now, and
turns to the file at hand.
